Traffic Safety

Michelle Huber is chairing a traffic safety specific interest group, initially co-chaired by Kerri DeRosier and Monte Swann, to compile traffic-related safety issues.

 

Background:  In 2007, a strategic plan was developed to enable the Pt. Loma Cluster Schools Foundation (PLCS) to effectively support programs that enhance the learning and education of our children and help make them better citizens.  One of the priorities is to increase the safety of students arriving and departing school.  We established a Traffic Safety Specific Interest Group (SIG) to proactively collaborate with the City of San Diego, San Diego Unified School District, Police Department, and Councilmember Faulconer's office to determine what safety improvements are viable and develop an ACTION plan.

 

Meetings were held with principals and detailed plans have been developed for all 10 of our cluster schools.  Common Issues Identified:

• Schools are being impacted by changing demographics - more parents are driving students to school
• Limited space at school sites for drop-off / pickup - limit parking hours, etc.
• Desirable to control traffic flow better - structural and behavioral (parents, students, and community)
• Drivers ‘forget’ to slow down in school zones - Chatsworth, Catalina, Canon, and Talbot are high volume through-traffic corridors

A survey filled out by our Principals in 2008 noted that every school has some safety-related issues that should be addressed, and we would like to be inclusive in regards to traffic-related safety issues that parents and teachers may be aware of. This includes traffic flow, walking patterns, crosswalks, and bicycle lanes for safety around school zones; needed signage and flashing lights in school zones; painting of curbs; obstructions, etc.

 

An e-blast was sent out to the cluster in the Spring of 2008, and we received about 25 responses relating to parent and student behavior, need for crosswalks, and better street lines. We are compiling these responses by school and possible implementation schedule, and will share these responses with our principals to ensure that no important safety issues are being overlooked. Then the SIG will collaborate with the City of San Diego, Police Department, and Councilmember Faulconer's office to determine what safety improvements are viable and develop an ACTION plan. We would like to speak in a strong, unified voice for our cluster.

 

September 2, 2008 Update:  A crosswalk and signage has been added by the entrance ramp to Nimitz Blvd. from Famosa Blvd.  Signage has also been added along the northbound Nimitz Blvd. right-hand exit lane to eastbound West Point Loma Blvd.  Hopefully drivers will be more aware of students crossing these intersections on the way to and home from Correia Middle School.

 

September 12, 2008 Update:  The San Diego City Council heard,  but postponed, voting on the “Oversized Vehicle Ordinance” at the September meeting.  This Ordinance amends the San Diego Municipal Code to prohibit parking of oversized, non-motorized, and recreational vehicles on any public street or City park in the City of San Diego between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m., or within 50 feet of any intersection at any time. Oversized vehicle, non-motorized vehicle, and recreational vehicle are all newly created defined terms. Exceptions are made for: oversized vehicles making pickups or deliveries; government or public utility vehicles; school buses transporting students; buses transporting youths or disabled persons during designated activities; and vehicles otherwise lawfully using commercial loading zones.  A permitting process for residents of the City or guests of residents who wish to park recreational vehicles in the same block as their homes on public streets while preparing for trips is also authorized. These restrictions on the parking of oversized, non-motorized, and recreational vehicles expire two years after they are effectively certified by the California Coastal Commission.  To view the materials for the Oversized Vehicle Ordinance (Items 200 and 201) use the following link: http://docs.sandiego.gov/councildockets/dkt2008/dkt20080915.pdf

 

November 3, 2008 Update:  Discussions have been initiated with the City of San Diego Traffic Engineering Department to determine what traffic safety improvements are viable around Dana Middle School.

 

November 2008 Update:  Our 10 cluster principals are asking their respective SSC and/ or Parent organization to compile a comprehensive list of traffic safety issues by January 30th; and to indicate if the issue requires a physical improvement or a change in student and/or parent behavior.

 

January 2009 Update:  Parking on Narragansett across the street from Dana Middle School was changed to a 3-minute parking zone between 7:00 am and 4:00 pm.  Near Correia Middle School, the traffic ramp for northeast bound traffic from Nimitz Blvd. to West Pt. Loma Blvd. has been narrowed to encourage drivers to actually STOP at the stop sign.  Also, the traffic signal at the intersection of Nimitz and Chatsworth will be re-timed to see if this can reduce the traffic backlog on eastbound Chatsworth.

 

November 2009 Update:  Correia Middle School:  Site visit meeting with a City of San Diego Traffic Engineer in regards to the dangerous cross walk on the northeast corner of Nimitz Blvd. and W. Pt. Loma Blvd.  Agreement reached on realigning the sidewalk; to be initiated upon completion of the water line project.

 

February 2010 Update:  A series of site master planning meetings are being held to define future facility improvements for Pt. Loma High School to be provided under Prop. S and beyond.   Traffic safety and parking around the school are being reviewed by traffic engineers.  Our PLCS Traffic Safety SIG provided input; as did school neighbors.  A City of San Diego Traffic Engineer has been invited to participate in the process.

 

February 2010 Update: Our SIG has requested a meeting with a City of San Diego Traffic Engineer to discuss traffic safety issues for all 10 cluster schools.

 

June 2010 Update:  Michelle Huber is the new chair of the Traffic Safety SIG.  She requested a meeting with Councilmember Kevin Faulconer, and he has offered to co-ordinate a meeting at his office with appropriate city staff.

 

September 17, 2010 Update:  A one-hour meeting was held including Councilmember Kevin Faulconer, City Traffic Engineers, School District officials, School police officers, Area Superintendent Dianna Carberry, Principal Bobbie Samilson of Pt. Loma High School (representing the school principals), Michelle Huber (chair of the PLCS Traffic Safety SIG), and Marvin Estrin.  We are all in agreement of the common issues identified; and discussed concerns and recommendations for most of our school sites.  A City Senior Traffic Engineer will begin meeting with school principals over the next month to discuss site particulars.

 

October 12, 2010 update:  The first site visits were conducted today at Dana Middle School (based upon the school safety police recommendation) and Barnard Elementary School.  To be efficient, schools are being paired up based upon bell schedules and critical times (morning or afternoon).  The goal is to make the improvements during Winter break.

 

October 25, 2010 update:  The second group of site visits were conducted today at Correia Middle School and Ocean Beach Elementary School.

 

February 2011 update: To date, site visits with SDUSD school police, SDUSD transportation department, San Diego Traffic Engineers, and school Principals have been conducted at Dana, Barnard, Correia, Ocean Beach, Silver Gate, Cabrillo, and Pt. Loma High School.

 

March 2011 update:  Structural improvements have been completed for Correia Middle School.

May 2011 update:  Site visits for Dewey and Loma Portal Elementary Schools have been completed.  Councilmember Kevin Faulconer participated in the Loma Portal site visit.  It is anticipated that safety improvements for all of our schools will be completed by the beginning of the school year.